The National Film Awards, commonly known as the National Awards, are arguably the most prestigious film awards in India. The Awards are presented annually, in a ceremony, by the President of India. Declared for films produced in the previous year across the country, they hold the distinction of awarding merit to the best of Indian Cinema overall, as well as presenting awards for the best films in each region and language of the country.

The Awards were first presented in 1954. The Government of India conceived the ceremony to honour films made across India, on a national scale, to encourage the furthering of Indian art and culture.
Juries

The National Film Awards are presented in two main categories: Feature Films and Non-Feature Films. Two separate jury panels select the winners for each, and these juries are appointed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Film Division. The awards are initiated by the Government of India and the Directorate of Film Festivals in India. There are strict criteria as to whether a film is eligible for consideration by the jury panels. Over 100 films made across the country are entered in each category (Feature and Non-Feature) for the awards and deemed eligible each year.

Awards up to 2005

The Awards presented to Feature Films are given in many categories including the following:

Golden Lotus Award

Official Name: Swarna Kamal

* Best Film
* Best Direction
* Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
* Best Children's Film

Silver Lotus Award

Official Name: Rajat Kamal

* Best Actor
* Best Actress
* Best Supporting Actor
* Best Supporting Actress
* Best Child Artist
* Best Cinematography
* Best Screenplay
* Best Art Direction
* Best Costume Design
* Best Music Direction
* Best Lyrics
* Best Male Playback Singer
* Best Female Playback Singer
* Best Choreography
* Best Audiography
* Best Editing
* Best Special Effects
* Special Jury Award (Feature Film)

Best Feature Film in each of the languages specified in schedule VIII of the constitution:

* Best Regional Film (Hindi)
* Best Regional Film (Bengali)
* Best Regional Film (Tamil)
* Best Regional Film (Malayalam)
* Best Regional Film (Telugu)
* Best Regional Film (Assamese)
* Best Regional Film (Kannada)
* Best Regional Film (Marathi)
* Best Regional Film (Punjabi)
* Best Regional Film (Oriya)
* Best Regional Film (Manipuri)

Best Feature Film in each of the languages other than those specified in schedule VIII of the constitution:

* Best Feature Film in English
* Best Feature Film in Konkani


* Best Film on Family Welfare
* Best Film on Other Social Issues
* Best Film on Environment Conservation/Preservation

Nargis Dutt Award

This award is given to the Best Feature film on National Integration

* Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration

Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film

This award is given to the film judged Best First Film of a Director at the National Film Awards

* Indira Gandhi Award

Special Mention

This award is given to personalities within the film fraternity the jury deem worthy of a Special Mention, a particular year:

* Special Mention

Lifetime Achievement Award

This award is for lifetime achievement and contribution to Indian Cinema. It is named after Dadasaheb Phalke, one of India's pioneering film makers.

* Dadasaheb Phalke Award


The Awards presented to Non-Feature Films are given in many categories including the following:

* Best Non-Feature Film
* Best First Non-Feature Film
* Best Anthropological/Ethnographic Film
* Best Biographical Film
* Best Arts/Cultural Film
* Best Scientific Film
* Best Promotional Film
* Best Agriculture Film
* Best Film on Social Issues
* Best Educational/Motivational/Instructional Film
* Best Exploration/Adventure Film
* Best Investigative Film
* Best Animated Film
* Best Short Fiction Film
* Best Non-Feature Film on Family Welfare
* Best Non-Feature Film Direction
* Best Non-Feature Film Cinematography
* Best Non-Feature Film Audiography
* Best Non-Feature Film Editing
* Best Non-Feature Film Music Direction
* Best Non-Feature Film Narration/Voice Over
* Special Jury Award (Non-Feature Film)